Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery pack including a plurality of electrochemical cells distributed within a thermal management composite matrix, including a phase change material. The method operates upon determining that a battery pack temperature and/or voltage measurement is below a predetermined minimum threshold. The pack temperature and/or the voltage measurement is raised to the predetermined minimum threshold, such as by applying a low current rate, and then the charging rate is increased upon reaching the predetermined minimum threshold. The increased charging rate is further selected based upon a thermal state of charge of the thermal management composite matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery pack including a plurality of electrochemical cells distributed within a thermal management composite matrix, including a phase change material. The method operates upon determining that a battery pack temperature and/or voltage measurement is below a predetermined minimum threshold. The pack temperature and/or the voltage measurement is raised to the predetermined minimum threshold, such as by applying a low current rate, and then the charging rate is increased upon reaching the predetermined minimum threshold. The increased charging rate is further selected based upon a thermal state of charge of the thermal management composite matrix.

Abstract: A thermal management apparatus and method of use, such as in a battery pack or electronic device. A thermally responsive material is disposed between two surfaces, wherein the thermally responsive material changes upon heating, to increase a thermal conductance between the two surfaces. The thermally responsive material is offset from one of the surfaces and expands upon heating to connect the two surfaces. The thermally responsive material is a phase change composite including a phase change material selected from a paraffin wax, a hydrated salt, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for making a phase change composite (PCC) for a battery pack of a plurality of electrochemical cells. The method includes impregnating a matrix material with a phase change material, and fragmenting the matrix material before or after the impregnating. The fragmented and impregnated matrix material are shaped into a composite such as by extraction, pressing, or other molding technique. Additional PCC shapes are provided by this invention, such as individual spacers for placement between individual battery cells, or rows of cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery pack including a plurality of electrochemical cells distributed within a thermal management composite matrix, including a phase change material. The method operates upon determining that a battery pack temperature and/or voltage measurement is below a predetermined minimum threshold. The pack temperature and/or the voltage measurement is raised to the predetermined minimum threshold, such as by applying a low current rate, and then the charging rate is increased upon reaching the predetermined minimum threshold. The increased charging rate is further selected based upon a thermal state of charge of the thermal management composite matrix.

Abstract: A cooling system comprises an air cooled condensing unit (ACCU) having a condenser outlet and a condenser inlet, and a phase change composite thermal energy storage module (PCCTESM) having first and second fluid paths disposed therethrough, wherein each of the first and second fluid paths have an inlet and an outlet. The cooling system further comprises at least one air handling unit (AHU) having an AHU inlet and an AHU outlet, a first expansion valve disposed between the condenser outlet and the first fluid path inlet, a fluid connection between the second fluid path inlet and the condenser outlet, a second expansion valve disposed between the AHU inlet and the second fluid path outlet, and a second fluid connection that connects the first fluid path outlet and the AHU outlet to the condenser inlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a thermal state of charge or melt fraction of phase change material in a battery system. The battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cell elements, a supply of a phase change material in thermal contact with the plurality of electrochemical cell elements, and a battery management system that monitors a thermal storage capacity of the phase change material and automatically controls a power of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material. The battery management system automatically adjusts a power output of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material to provide a heat output within a predetermined safe temperature limit.

Abstract: A thermal propagation prevention device and method for a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells. The device includes a liquid loaded material, such as a hydrogel or liquid loaded superabsorbent polymer, contained in a propagation arrestor configured to cover at Least one of the plurality of battery cells. The liquid loaded material is configured to phase change under heat from a rupture of the at least one of the plurality of battery cells and release a quenching vapor. The vapor further dilutes the electrolyte released from the at least one of the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a thermal state of charge or melt fraction of phase change material in a battery system. The battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cell elements, a supply of a phase change material in thermal contact with the plurality of electrochemical cell elements, and a battery management system that monitors a thermal storage capacity of the phase change material and automatically controls a power of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material. The battery management system automatically adjusts a power output of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material to provide a heat output within a predetermined safe temperature limit.

Abstract: A portable bidet system comprises an adapter configured to secure a first end of a supply tube within a fluid container. A pump is operationally connected to a second end of the supply tube, and a disposable delivery tube is connected to an outlet of the pump.

Abstract: A thermal management composite, comprising a phase change material within a carbon or graphite matrix. The matrix is coated with a polymer coating to improve flexibility. The matrix can be a molded carbon or graphite material or a carbon or graphite cloth.

Abstract: A thermal management method and system for energy storage devices, such as devices including an array of electrochemical cell elements. A first phase change material is in heat-transferring thermal contact with the electrochemical cell elements. A second phase change material in heat-transferring thermal contact with the first phase change material. A heat exchange path can be disposed between the first phase change material and the second phase change material.

Abstract: A thermal management composite, comprising a phase change material within a carbon or graphite matrix. The matrix is coated with a polymer coating to improve flexibility. The matrix can be a molded carbon or graphite material or a carbon or graphite cloth.

Abstract: A system and method of using the system is provided for cooling a building space through the use of thermal storage and release of energy by charging and discharging a phase change material comprising low temperature wax.

Abstract: A thermal management composite, comprising a phase change material within a carbon or graphite matrix. The matrix is coated with a polymer coating to improve flexibility. The matrix can be a molded carbon or graphite material or a carbon or graphite cloth.

Abstract: A transport vehicle having a refrigerated container and system of refrigeration is provided.

Abstract: An optimized heating and cooling system including a thermal mass, thermal energy transport conduits to deliver thermal energy to the thermal mass including one or more phase change materials (PCMs), at least one heat exchanger to exchange the thermal energy from a energy input into heat transfer fluid that is pumped through the thermal mass. The system also includes a controller in electronic communication with a temperature sensor, a throttle and a pump. A desired building temperature profile, a daily temperature forecast, the electricity rates, the thermal characteristics of the PCMs are entered into or obtained by the controller and the controller uses that information to optimize the energy use to avoid using the heating and cooling system during peak electricity demand time, or uses the rate structure to determine the operation sequence that results in the most efficient use of energy or least cost.

Abstract: A thermal management composite, comprising a phase change material within a carbon or graphite matrix. The matrix is coated with a polymer coating to improve flexibility. The matrix can be a molded carbon or graphite material or a carbon or graphite cloth.

Abstract: An optimized heating and cooling system including a thermal mass, thermal energy transport conduits to deliver thermal energy to the thermal mass including one or more phase change materials (PCMs), at least one heat exchanger to exchange the thermal energy from a energy input into heat transfer fluid that is pumped through the thermal mass. The system also includes a controller in electronic communication with a temperature sensor, a throttle and a pump. A desired building temperature profile, a daily temperature forecast, the electricity rates, the thermal characteristics of the PCMs are entered into or obtained by the controller and the controller uses that information to optimize the energy use to avoid using the heating and cooling system during peak electricity demand time, or uses the rate structure to determine the operation sequence that results in the most efficient use of energy or least cost.

Abstract: A thermal management method and system for energy storage devices, such as devices including an array of electro-chemical cell elements. A first phase change material is in heat-transferring thermal contact with the electrochemical cell elements. A second phase change material in heat-transferring thermal contact with the first phase change material. A heat exchange path can be disposed between the first phase change material and the second phase change material.